Introduction to the PTE Reading
Reading is a skill that transcends the boundaries of academia; it is a key that unlocks doors not only in the context of PTE exams but also in our daily lives. In this digital age, where information flows ceaselessly through screens and pages, the ability to comprehend, analyze, and respond to written text is more critical than ever.
The Reading section of the PTE exam serves as a litmus test of one’s reading proficiency, assessing the capacity to understand complex passages, interpret information, and draw conclusions. However, its significance extends far beyond the confines of standardized testing.
Table of Contents
The Importance of PTE Reading
In our daily lives, reading is a fundamental skill that underpins our ability to communicate, learn, and adapt. It is the bridge to a treasure trove of knowledge, culture, and ideas that enrich our understanding of the world. Through reading, we can explore distant lands, grasp diverse perspectives, and cultivate empathy for others.
Moreover, reading enhances vocabulary, language comprehension, and critical thinking – skills that are invaluable in academic pursuits, professional endeavors, and even personal growth. It’s not just about deciphering words; it’s about decoding the world around us.
Let understand the PTE Reading Section of PTE Exam.
Test Duration and Structure: The Reading section of the PTE exam is a critical component that lasts approximately 29-30 minutes. Within this relatively brief period, test-takers are required to demonstrate their reading prowess through a variety of tasks. These tasks are designed to evaluate different aspects of their language skills and comprehension abilities.
Five Question Types: Within the Reading section, test-takers encounter a diverse range of question types, totaling five in number. Each of these question types has a distinct focus and methodology to assess the candidate’s reading skills. The variety of question types ensures that the evaluation is comprehensive and multifaceted, covering various dimensions of reading ability.
Integration of Skills: PTE Academic is fundamentally an integrated skills test, meaning it assesses not only reading but also other language skills such as listening, speaking, and writing. In the context of the Reading section, this integration becomes evident. Test-takers not only have to comprehend the text but may also be required to apply their writing skills in some question types.
Assessment of Writing Skills: One noteworthy question type in the Reading section that integrates writing skills is ‘Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks.’ In this task, candidates are not only expected to understand the context and meaning of the passage but also to actively participate by filling in the blanks with appropriate words. This dual evaluation of reading and writing skills highlights the interconnected nature of language proficiency.
Let’s dive to know more about each section of PTE Reading.
PTE Reading: Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
| Title | Explanation |
| Task Description | Text appears on-screen with several gaps. Drag words from a box below to fill the gaps. |
| Prompt Length | Text up to 300 words. |
| Skills Assessed | Reading and writing. |
| No of Question | 5-6 Questions. |
How to Approach This Question:
- In this question type, your task is to select the most appropriate words from a drop-down list to complete a passage with missing words.
- Each gap in the text is accompanied by a button that, when left-clicked, reveals a drop-down list of options for that specific gap.
- Your job is to choose the option that you believe best fits the gap. If you change your mind, simply left-click on a different option.
Tips for Solving This Question:
- To tackle this question effectively, focus on selecting the most suitable words from the provided drop-down list to restore the text.
- It’s beneficial to skim the passage for its overall meaning, which will aid in selecting the correct word for each blank. Understanding the context of the entire text is key.
- When you click on the drop-down arrows, you might find options that are also related to the main topic. Keep an eye out for these.
- Reading the text both before and after the blank can be helpful in identifying the correct word choice.
Scoring for This Question:
- Your performance in the Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks section is assessed based on your ability to use contextual and grammatical cues to identify words that complete the text.
- If you fill in all the blanks correctly, you will receive the maximum score for this question type.
- However, if one or more blanks are filled incorrectly, partial credit scoring will be applied.
You can see an example of the ‘Reading & Writing: FIB‘ task in this video link.
PTE Reading: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer
| Title | Explanation |
| Task | After reading the text, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the text by selecting more than one response. |
| Prompt Length | Text up to 300 words |
| Skills Assessed | Reading |
| No of Question | 1-2 |
How to Approach This Question:
- For this question type, your task is to read the passage and respond to a multiple-choice question. Importantly, there may be more than one correct answer.
- You are required to select all the response options that you believe are correct from the list provided.
- To select an option, simply left-click on it using your mouse. If you change your mind, you can deselect an option by left-clicking on it again.
- Your chosen options will be highlighted in yellow.
Understanding the Scoring:
- It’s crucial to understand how this task is scored. Carefully read the instructions, as in this type of multiple-choice item, there can be multiple correct responses.
- You earn points for every correct option selected but lose points for any incorrect ones.
- Pay attention to repeated words among the options, especially adjectives. If you notice the same noun phrase occurring in many options, it’s likely that the answer relates to that phrase.
Scoring for This Question:
- Your performance in the Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers section is evaluated based on your ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate a short reading text on an academic subject.
- If all of your responses are correct, you’ll receive the maximum score for this question type.
- However, if one or more of your response options are incorrect, partial credit scoring will be applied.
You can see an example of the ‘Multiple choice: Multiple Answer‘ task in this video link.
PTE Reading: Re-order Paragraphs
| Title | Explanation |
| Task | Several text boxes appear on the screen in a random order. Put the text boxes in the correct order. |
| Prompt Length | Text up to 150 words |
| Skills Assessed | Reading |
| No of questions | 2-3 |
How to Approach This Question:
In this question type, your task is to restore the original order of the text by selecting text boxes and arranging them across the screen.
There are two ways to move the text:
- Left-click on a box to select it (it will be outlined in blue), hold the left mouse button down, and drag it to the desired location.
- Left-click on a box to select it, and then use the left and right arrow buttons to move it across. On the right panel, you can also use the up and down arrow buttons to re-order the boxes.
To deselect a box, simply left-click elsewhere on the screen.
Tips for Solving this Question:
Begin by reading the text boxes in order to understand the main idea of each one. Note keywords to help with comprehension.
Use these keywords to form an overall idea of what the original text is about. This will guide you in finding the logical order for the ideas in the text boxes.
Start by identifying the topic sentence, which can stand alone and doesn’t begin with a linker or a pronoun referring back to something or someone. It also doesn’t refer to information or actions previously mentioned through the use of things like passive verb tenses.
Scoring for This Question:
Your performance in the Reorder Paragraphs section is assessed based on your ability to understand the organization and cohesion of an academic text.
If all the text boxes are in the correct order, you will receive maximum score points for this question type.
However, if one or more text boxes are in the wrong order, partial credit scoring will be applied.
You can see an example of the ‘Reading & Writing: FIB‘ task in this video link.
PTE Reading: Fill in the Blanks: Reading (Drag and Drop).
| Title | Explanation |
| Task | The text appears on a screen with several gaps in it. Drag words from the box below to fill the gaps. |
| Prompt Length | Text up to 80 words |
| Skills Assessed | Reading |
| No of questions | 4-5 |
How to Approach This Question:
In this question type, your task is to fill in the gaps in the text by dragging and dropping words across the screen.
The passage provided contains missing words, and you have a list of words in a blue box that you can use to fill these gaps. Note that there are more words than gaps, so not all provided words will be used.
To select a word, left-click on it, then hold the left mouse button down, and drag the word to the desired gap. You can also move words between gaps. To remove a word from a gap, drag it back to the blue box.
Tips for Answering the Question:
Be mindful that some words naturally go together to form familiar phrases, known as collocation. Recognizing collocations can assist you in identifying the correct word for each blank.
Utilize your knowledge of grammar to aid in selecting the appropriate word.
Scoring for This Question:
Your performance in the Reading Fill in the Blanks section is evaluated based on your ability to use context and grammatical cues to identify words that complete a reading text.
If all the blanks are filled correctly, you will receive the maximum score points for this question type.
However, if one or more blanks are filled incorrectly, partial scoring will be applied.
You can see an example of the ‘Reading & Writing: FIB‘ task in this video link.
PTE Reading: Multiple Choice, Single Answer
| Title | Explanation |
| Task | After reading the text, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the text by selecting one response. |
| Prompt Length | Text up to 300 words |
| Skills Assessed | Reading |
| No of Question | 1-2 |
How to Approach This Question:
For this question type, your task is to read the passage and respond to a multiple-choice question.
You will be presented with several possible response options, but only one of them is correct.
To select an option, simply click on it using the left button on your mouse. If you change your mind, you can deselect it by left-clicking on it again, or choose a different option.
The option you select will be highlighted in yellow.
Tips for Solving this Question:
Before you start reading the text, take note of the keywords in the prompt. Focusing on these keywords can help you find the answer more quickly and spend less time reading the text.
Evaluate all the response options provided before making your selection.
Scoring for This Question:
Your response is scored as either correct or incorrect. No credit is given for not responding or providing an incorrect response.
You can see an example of the ‘Reading & Writing: FIB‘ task in this video link.
Conclusion:
In the journey towards PTE success, the Reading section stands as a crucial milestone. It tests your comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to decipher the subtleties of written content. To excel in this section, consistency is key. Make reading a daily habit, exploring a variety of texts—news articles, literature, academic papers—to expose yourself to diverse styles and vocabulary.
Through regular practice, you’ll not only prepare for the PTE exam but also improve your language proficiency for real-life situations. Remember, every word you read is a step closer to your goal. Stay committed, and you’ll see your scores rise.
Keep an eye out for our next blog on the Listening section, where we’ll share valuable insights and strategies. Stay engaged with our website for more expert guidance on your PTE journey.
Advisory:
Remember to double-check and update any specific information or requirements on the official Pearson PTE website (https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/reading) to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date guidance for your PTE journey.
To further enhance your PTE skills,
We encourage you to explore our collection of blogs, each tailored to specific aspects of the exam:
- 7 Reasons Why PTE (Pearson Test of English) is Your Best English Test Choice
- Choosing the Right, from various Types of PTE Exam: Academic vs. General vs. PTE UKVI
- Evaluating Score Bands in PTE: Assessing Levels of English Proficiency
- Knowing the types of modules in PTE Academic and its question types.
- PTE Speaking Essentials: Get to know about 5 Question Types
- Mastering PTE Writing: Know 2 Question Types
- Unlocking Success in PTE Listening 8 Types: Its All about Listening.